Laws, Regulations & Policies

Tourism is one of the key sectors of the economy the Greek Government will focus on in its effort to lift bureaucratic and competition obstacles that currently hinder development.

The price of Greek ferry tickets on state-subsidized, unprofitable routes will increase 2.4 percent for passengers, private vehicles, trucks and motorcycles, according to a decision of Minister of Mercantile Marine and the Aegean Kostis Mousouroulis. The decision came into force as of Saturday, 20 October.

“Our goal is to maximize tourism income and showcase Greece as a global strong tourism force,” Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said during her first official press conference to the media, yesterday, 19 October.

A bill that will put an end to legal uncertainties and cover any gaps that hinder the development of medical tourism in Greece should be completed by the end of this year, according to an announcement made during the presentation of a study by the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, yesterday, Thursday, 17 October, in Athens.

The new special zoning plan for tourism that will promote tourism development alongside environmental protection in Greece, is expected to be ready by the end of the year, Greek press reports said recently.

A tender for the concession of 22 Greek regional airports will be launched by the end of the year, the Greek press reported recently.

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni requested cooperation at all levels with all tourism professionals, yesterday, 4 October, while attending a board meeting of the General Pan-Hellenic Federation of Tourism Enterprises (GEPOET).

The Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) started to recruit staff for its new “fast track service,” established for the faster licensing procedure of tourism investments, Greek daily Kathimerini newspaper said today, 4 October.

All parties associated with marine tourism have been invited to submit proposals and suggestions to the ministries of tourism and shipping for preparation of a draft law to be tabled in Parliament, the Tourism Ministry said yesterday, 2 October.

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni on Thursday, 27 September, announced the establishment of a Greek National Tourism Organization branch in the Sismanoglio Megaro in Istanbul. The minister’s announcement followed a meeting she had with her Turkish counterpart, Ertuğrul Günay, during her recent visit to Turkey.